WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, March 11, 2022

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending March 11, 2022

On Monday, Governor Mike DeWine announced as part of his comprehensive strategy to address lead hazards and prevent lead poisoning in Ohio,  that his H2Ohio initiative is investing $4 million to locate, remove, and replace toxic lead pipes in various communities throughout the state. 

"We want all of our residents, no matter where they live, to be confident that their drinking water is clean and not contaminated by decomposing lead pipes that should have long ago been replaced," said Governor DeWine. "My focus every day is on the health and safety of all of our citizens, and I won't be satisfied until lead pipes are truly a thing of the past."

Today, most water service lines are copper or galvanized iron, but an estimated 6.1 million lead water lines remain across the nation. Lead primarily enters drinking water when materials containing lead in water distribution systems and household plumbing corrode. 

Of the $4 million to be awarded through the H2Ohio Lead Service Line Replacement Grant Program, approximately $2 million will go to six communities whose lead pipes are mapped and ready for replacement. The removal and replacement projects in these communities will eliminate a total of nearly 500 lead service lines.

On Tuesday, Governor DeWine made two appointments to the Ohio Elections Commission.

Also on Tuesday, Governor DeWine directed the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to convene a summit of various service organizations to ensure Ohio’s preparedness to welcome Ukrainian refugees, if asked.

“Like many Ohioans, I am disgusted by the senseless aggression of the Russian military and want to support Ukrainian families being driven out of their country,” said Governor DeWine. “While we do not yet know what role Ohio will play in helping these families, I want us to be prepared when the time does come.”

On March 17^th, ODJFS will bring together multiple organizations who could play a role in the relocation of Ukrainian families at a summit in Northeast Ohio. These will include resettlement agencies, faith-based organizations, charities, and others interested in supporting Ukrainians. The summit is intended to help the organizations better understand their possible role in refugee resettlement, and to assess what Ukrainians needs may be. It is intended to facilitate an exchange of ideas among interested parties.

Governor DeWine speaks at the annual Appalachian Partnership Inc. meeting in Athens.

Governor DeWine visited Athens County on Wednesday where he discussed economic development in Ohio's Appalachian counties during the Appalachian Partnership's annual meeting. 

Governor DeWine and Director of ODOT Jack Marchbanks pictured with ODOT District 6 Interim Deputy Director Anthony Turowski, and other ODOT team members.

Also on Wednesday, Governor DeWine joined Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Dr. Jack Marchbanks and other dignitaries in Columbus to kick off the next phase of construction for ODOT’s Downtown Ramp Up project. This phase of work in central Ohio will create new access to and from downtown Columbus at the Interstates 70/71 and State Route 315 interchange. 

“This section of highway is one of the busiest and most vital routes for freight operators and commuters in the region, and central Ohio has long outgrown it,” said Governor DeWine. “This project modernizes an outdated interchange and tackles the biggest congestion and safety problems on the road to benefit Ohioans for generations to come."

The interstate was originally built in the late 1950s when the population of Columbus was half of what it is today. Bridges along the corridor also date back to the ʼ50s and ʼ60s, including the 60-year-old Front Street bridge over I-70 that will be replaced with this project.  The project will address safety and congestion by creating new access ramps at Fulton and Mound streets to improve access to and from downtown Columbus at the I-70/71 and State Route 315 interchange. This $280 million project represents the largest transportation investment on a single construction project in central Ohio to date. “Three years ago, this project was in jeopardy of being canceled, but it is thanks to Governor DeWine’s leadership that we’re here announcing the start of this important work to update the downtown corridor,” said Director Marchbanks.

Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Second Lady Tina Husted attended an event in Columbus celebrating and recognizing Ohio's high school students who have committed to the U.S. Armed Forces.

Additionally, on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Second Lady Tina Husted, Major General John C. Harris, and Director of the Department of Veterans Services Major General (retired) Deborah Ashenhurst joined high school students from across Ohio in Columbus to celebrate their commitment to serve in the U.S. armed forces with parents, military officials, and the education community.  

On Ohio Military Signing Day, Ohio students were honored and recognized for their commitment to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

In 2017, Ohio’s PreK-12 school system led the nation by creating the “Purple Star” designation for those schools that worked to become military friendly. Wednesday, Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Randy Gardner announced Ohio is taking the next step in advancing this work with the creation of the first-ever “Collegiate Purple Star” designation. The announcement was made Wednesday morning at an event where Chancellor Gardner was joined by Ohio Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr.; Maj. Gen. Deborah Ashenhurst, USA Ret., Director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services; State Senator Stephanie Kunze; and the Ohio Department of Education’s point person for the Purple Star program in K-12 schools, Valerie Kunze. “We are always developing ways for Ohio to become the best place for military members and their families to live, work, and raise a family,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Purple Star Schools are great examples of how Ohioans can come together to support, encourage, and recognize the sacrifices our service men and women and their loved ones make.” “I am pleased to announce the expansion of this great program to support military families at the college level,” Chancellor Gardner said. “Ohio has always valued veterans and servicemembers and their families; expanding the Purple Star program to our colleges and universities will give students with military connections one more reason to continue their education here.”

Lt. Governor Husted updates members of the InnovateOhio Executive Committee on TechCred, new Broadband maps, and Intel's investment announcement in Ohio.

Lt. Governor Husted, in his capacity as Director of InnovateOhio, convened a meeting on Thursday of the InnovateOhio Executive Committee at the Riffe Center in Columbus, where he provided an update on projects underway through InnovateOhio.

Governor DeWine visits with children at the Columbus Early Learning Center, where he announced additional funding that will help child care programs offset unexpected business costs associated with the pandemic and help stabilize day to day operations.

On Friday, Governor DeWine announced an additional $650 million in grants to help child care programs defray unexpected business costs associated with the pandemic and to help stabilize operations. This is in addition to the $150 million in child care grants announced in December.

“Reliable, quality child care and early childhood education is essential for parents and caregivers who work and support their families,” said Governor DeWine. “Child care providers are balancing employee shortages, changing demands, and increasing costs. These grants will help bring providers relief so that they can continue serving families.” Governor DeWine made the announcement during a visit to the Columbus Early Learning Center (CELC) in Columbus at the Champion Avenue location. Dr. Gina M. Ginn, the director of CELC who oversees five Columbus-area centers, said the grants will make a huge difference. “Immediately, these stabilization grants turn problems into solutions for so many issues – our staffing, our capacity, affordability for our families, and learning enrichment,” she said. “And the fact that this could also positively affect the long-term health of our industry is a huge benefit.”

Governor DeWine pictured signing Senate Bill 11 into law.

Governor DeWine signed two bills into law this week:

• Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Senator Rob McColley and Senator Kristina Roegner, reduces regulatory restrictions in administrative rules.
• Senate Bill 11, sponsored by Senator Andrew O. Brenner, designates February 7 to 14 as "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week"; makes changes regarding paid leave for Juneteenth day for all regular nonteaching school employees; makes changes to the Frontline Health Care Worker Education, Training, and Certification Pilot Program; and modifies procedures for uniformed services and overseas absent voting in the 2022 primary election.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957